Baby Hairapy Pad, or infant and toddler hair and scalp protection pad

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a multipurpose infant and toddler hair and scalp protection pad, or baby hairapy (hair therapy) pad, including a thin, firm interior padding and an exterior hair and scalp protection fabric. The baby hairapy pad is a stain-resistant, satin-covered foam and cotton/polyester pad designed to minimize hair breakage, loss, and tangling, help maintain scalp moisture balance, and protect hairstyles in infants and toddlers. Unlike pillows and linens with satin cases or aromatherapy pillows, its foam and cotton/polyester interior is both thin and firm to be safe for infants. Further, it is small and flexible enough to be easily transported and used in multiple areas: cribs, beds, carriers, floors, strollers, etc. Plus, it provides for the options to include the soothing, calming scents of chamomile and lavender within it and to use it as a nursing pad for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a multipurpose device for infants and toddlers. The majority of it pertains to fabrics. One component is a friction-reducing fabric, such as satin. It also contains inner padding made of foam and cotton or polyester. It may be made with or without plant extract materials inside, such as chamomile and lavender. It may also be used as a nursing pad for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Prior to becoming confident, steady walkers, infants spend the majority of their lives lying down. As has been well documented, “placing babies on their backs reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death” (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development). Unfortunately, most surfaces against which infants' heads make contact are made of course, low thread count woven materials. The friction between the two often results in hair entanglement, hair breakage, hair loss, drying out of scalp, and ruined hairstyles. These conditions are worsened once babies are able to turn their heads from side to side. This leads to unsightly bald spots and discomfort for babies. The hair (or lack thereof) is not able to protect and warm the head. It occurs not only in cribs, but also on beds, in bassinets, in car seats, in strollers, on floors, on parents' shirts, and the like. Thus, parents and caregivers have a need for a creation that would minimize babies' hair entanglement, hair breakage and loss, and scalp moisture imbalance. This apparatus needs to be safe, portable, stain-resistant, and comfortable. Along with touch, smell is one of the keenest senses in infants and toddlers. The multipurpose device should also use the prominence of infants' sense of smell to help them feel safe and secure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The baby hairapy (hair therapy) pad, or hair and scalp protection pad, is a multipurpose, stain-resistant, satin-covered pad that is designed to go wherever infants and toddlers lay their heads. The beautiful satin exterior protects baby's hair and scalp to reduce hair breakage and loss, help maintain proper moisture balance, protect hairstyles, and eliminate most tangling. Unlike pillows and linens with satin cases or aromatherapy pillows, its foam and cotton/polyester interior is both thin and firm to be safe for infants. Yet, its satin exterior is cool and smooth for baby's comfort. Further, the present invention is small and flexible enough to be used in cribs, beds, on floors, bassinets, in strollers, on parents' chests, and so on. Mothers may also rest alongside baby on it when nursing to catch leaks and to retain mother's scent for baby's sleeping comfort and security. The interior of the pad may remain unscented or it may contain the soothing, calming scents of chamomile and lavender.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A is the top view of the first interior sheet of cotton or polyester batting.

FIG. 2A is the top view of the first interior foam sheet.

FIG. 1B is the top view of the second interior sheet of cotton or polyester batting.

FIG. 2B is the top view of the second interior foam sheet.

FIG. 3 is the top view of all four interior batting and foam sheets glued together.

FIG. 4 is the top view of the exterior satin fabric.

FIG. 5 is the top view of the present invention once exterior satin encloses interior layers and baby's head rests against it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The baby hairapy pad, or hair and scalp protection pad, is a multipurpose satin-covered (17) foam (13;15) and cotton/polyester (12;14) pad designed to minimize hair tangling, breakage, and loss, as well as help maintain scalp moisture balance and protect hairstyles in infants and toddlers. Unlike pillows and linens with satin cases or aromatherapy pillows, its foam (13;15) and cotton/polyester interior (12;14) is both thin and firm to be safe for infants. Further, it is small and flexible enough to be easily transported and used in multiple areas: cribs, beds, carriers, floors, strollers, etc. Plus, the present invention provides for the options to include the soothing, calming scents of chamomile and lavender within it and to use it as a nursing pad for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

To make the interior padding, one may use cotton or polyester needle punch batting (12;14) and foam sheets (13;15). Any other thin, soft material may be substituted for the batting. The batting (12;14) should be cut using scissors into two sheets a little smaller than the desired pad size. The size and shape may vary to suit the function of the pad (e.g., smaller for newborns or rounded on three sides to put on infant headrest). Although any size and shape may be used, rectangular (9″×12″×⅛″) is ideal for the side-to-side motion of babies' heads (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). If the pad is to be scented, chamomile and lavender tea leaves or oil should be sprinkled throughout the batting. Other safe, soothing scents may be used as substitutes. Two foam sheets (13;15), ideally 2 mm thick each, should be about the same size and shape of the batting (12;14), so cutting with scissors may be necessary to attain this (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). Any thin, firm, and flexible material may be substituted for foam. Use an adhesive to glue all four sheets together in this order: batting, foam, foam, batting (16). The cotton or polyester batting sheets (12;14) should be on the outsides of the pad (see FIG. 3).

While this is drying, scissors will be needed to cut the satin fabric (17) of any color into the desired shape (preferably rectangular), but a little more than twice the size of the batting (12;14) and foam (13;15) interior (FIG. 4). Any friction-reducing material may be substituted in the place of satin. It may be treated with a fabric protector to resist/repel stains. Place the satin so that the shiny side is facing upward. Now fold it in half so that the shiny sides are inside, and the dull sides are facing outside. It can be trimmed down to be one to two inches longer and wider than the padding (16). Using a needle and thread (preferably matching the color of the satin) by hand or by sewing machine, sew approximately ½ inch around the edges of the satin (17)—it is not necessary to sew on the folded side—leaving one edge unsewn with an opening large enough to insert the dried interior padding (16). Turn the satin cover right-side out, and insert the padding (16) through the hole. The opening can either be sewn closed or folded down and glued with a strong fabric adhesive. An alternative may be to use a slippery, shiny friction-reducing fabric (e.g., satin) on one side on which the baby's head will usually lay (18) and to use a less slippery, darker-colored friction-reducing, high thread count fabric (e.g., percale) on the other side on which the mother will usually nurse the baby. The baby hairapy pad, or hair and scalp protection pad, is now ready to be placed on the surface where baby's head will lay. Baby should be carefully positioned so that the head is on the pad (18). Fasteners may be used to hold the pad in place (19). 

1. An infant and toddler pad, not more than one-half inch thick, which consists of a hair and scalp protection exterior closed shut on all sides around an interior layer of padding; wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior consists of a nonabrasive, friction-reducing fabric, such as silk, satin, or percale of at least 400 thread count, to thereby reduce friction between infant's or toddler's head and surface against which the head lies; wherein said pad also functions as a nursing pad.
 2. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior comprises silk whereon infant's or toddler's head lies.
 3. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior comprises satin whereon infant's or toddler's head lies.
 4. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior comprises a percale of at least 400 thread count whereon infant's or toddler's head lies.
 5. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior is stain-resistant/repellant whereon infant's or toddler's head lies.
 6. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said hair and scalp protection exterior is closed shut on all sides around said interior layer of padding.
 7. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said interior layer of padding comprises a plurality of layers not more than one-half inch thick all together.
 8. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said interior layer of padding comprises at least one layer of batting not more than one-fourth inch thick.
 9. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said interior layer of padding comprises a material selected from a group consisting of cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyester blend not more than one-fourth inch thick.
 10. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said interior layer of padding comprises at least one foam sheet not more than one-fourth inch thick.
 11. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein said interior layer of padding comprises a chamomile and/or lavender plant extract with soothing or calming effects.
 12. The infant and toddler pad as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of optional attachable external fasteners may be used to hold pad in place. 